Forest School

What is Forest School?

“An inspirational process that offers children, young people and adults, regular opportunities to achieve, and develop confidence and self esteem through hands-on learning experiences in a local woodland environment.” Forest Education Initiative 2005a

Forest School originated in Europe in the early 20th century in Scandinavia.

During the 1980s it became part of the Danish Early Years programme.

In 2006 it was estimated that there were approximately 140 forest schools in Britain.

6 key principles

Empowers children and encourages them to take responsibility for their own learning

Recent research carried out in Wales and England by the New Economics Foundation found that children who took part in forest school activities gained greater self-confidence, the ability to work in a team, more motivation to learn, and pride in their surroundings.

TES , Back to Earth, 3 July 2009

Messing about in the woods?

Forest school activities are carefully planned to enable a mixture of adult-led skills to be taught, but children have the choice to explore and design their own activities too.

Staff understand that when children are outside they are learning and that as adults their role is not merely one of supervision.

What are we learning?

Through learning about The Great Outdoors, children also learn about Science, Art, Literacy, Maths, History, Geography, Music and DT.

Common Concerns

Time away from school and the curriculum.

How can my child work on their literacy, numeracy and phonics whilst in the forest?

How will playing all day be good for their education?

Timetable

Half Term

Monday 1-3.30pm

Wednesday 1-3.30 pm

Friday 1-3.30 pm

Autumn 1

Oak

Peake

Rabbits

Autumn 2

Ash

Victory

Badgers

Spring 1

Birch

Endeavour

Rabbits

Spring 2

Oak

Victory

Badgers

Summer 1

Ash

Endeavour

Rabbits

Summer 2

Birch

Peake

Badgers

Kit List

Suitable Clothing

Children should wear long trousers (not jeans) and a long sleeved T-shirt for protection from stings and bites. Layers of old clothing are best as they protect from the cold. Please note: forest school clothes will get dirty!

Berewood Primary School is part of the University of Chichester (Multi) Academy Trust, a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Company number 8595545. Registered office: University of Chichester, Bishop Otter Campus, College Lane, Chichester, West Sussex PO19 6PE.